Homabay thrash Embu 9-0 at Talanta Hela Tournament
A stylish Homabay team showed no mercy for their opponents Embu County as they humiliated them 9-0 in the final Group B game of the Talanta Hela play off tournament played under wet conditions at the Moi Complex in Nyeri.
The flawless performance ensured Homabay's 100 percent record in the competition,topping the table with 12 points after four outings.
Elsewhere, Mandera's good run at the tourney was halted by a powerful Uasin Gishu County, succumbing to a 4-1 defeat that saw them eliminated.
Kirinyaga came from behind to force a 2-2 draw against a hard fighting Kwale County.
The early morning results ment that Uasin Gishu coached by Fred Owino and Kirinyaga booked their tickets for the semi finals and national championships respectively
Kirinyaga coach Shem Ondieki expressed his joy after his boys gave a show of resilience and matching to the final four.
"I would like to congratulate my boys,they were patient today and they showed great efforts especially after going down 1-0 in the first half.I am grateful that we have qualified to the nationals.This is a good competition and the way to go as far as football development in thr the country is concerned," Ondieki said.
In Girls football,Uasin Gishu thrashed Marsabit 13-0 while Migori sealed a 2-0 victory against Laikipia.
Homabay ladies were too good for Kiambu, giving them a 3-0 beating.Machakos registered a 1-0 win against Nyandarua.
Kenya Academy of Sports CEO Doreen Odhiambo has expressed her elation about the talents that have been paraded in the play off tourney thus far.
"We have witnessed some great matches for both boys and girls.The teams have shown good display and eagerness to fight for the tickets to the national finals.May be it is because they know this is their only opportunity to make it to the next big stage.We have football scouts here in Nyeri and we hope to get players that will be part of the national juniors teams selected from here and the national Talanta Hela tournament," Odhiambo said.
From the play off tournament in Nyeri,only four teams for both boys and girls will make it to the national edition and will join 12 other teams that gained automatic qualification from the inter-county tournament.
The national tournament will be held at the Jamhuri Sports Ground from 3-9 December with the final set for December 12 at the Nyayo Stadium.
Talanta Hela U19 Tournament
Boys Semi final fixtures
Homabay v Kirinyaga
Uasin Gishu v Nakuru/Kakamega
Girls Semi Finals
Busia v Machakos
Uasin Gishu v Homabay
